Since first being detected in California on Dec 1, the Omicron COVID-19 variant has now been confirmed in 17 states, with dozens of more probable cases likely to be confirmed in the coming days.

Though the Delta (B1617.2) variant is still the dominant strain in the United States, Omicron (B.1.1.529) could overtake it in the future if it proves more transmissible.

So far, US experts are displaying cautious optimism that Omicron may cause more mild illness than Delta or the original strain.

"Though it's too early to really make any definitive statements about it, thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it," said Antony Fauci, MD, the White House's top medical advisor, yesterday on CNN.

Yesterday, the nation recorded 109,822 cases, including 1,178 deaths. The 7-day average of new daily COVID-19 cases is 121,534, with 1,321 daily deaths, according to the Washington Post tracker.

The Upper Midwest remains a hot spot, with 747 Iowans hospitalized with COVID-19, the highest number seen in the state this year, according to Iowa Public Radio.